Jan. 6 Insurrectionist Pardoned By Trump Continues To Face Charges In Child Sex Abuse Case, Reports Say

A North Carolina man pardoned by President Donald Trump for assaulting a police officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection is still facing charges for possessing child sex abuse material, per Huff Post.
Photo Credit: Justice Department/ FBI

A North Carolina man pardoned by President Donald Trump for assaulting a police officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection is still facing charges for possessing child sex abuse material, per Huff Post.

David Paul Daniel, 37, pleaded guilty this month to pushing a heavy wooden barricade into officers at the Capitol. Following the initial breach, he led a second breach into the Senate Wing Door before fleeing through a broken window. He was one of 600 individuals charged with resisting or assaulting law enforcement. All of whom received pardons from Trump on his first day in office.

Agents identified Daniel by reviewing his public social media accounts. He posted photos of himself in clothing that matched what he wore at the Capitol, according to the complaint. The FBI investigation revealed that Daniel was already under investigation in Charlotte, North Carolina, for child exploitation.

Daniel Gets Busted For Child Sexual Abuse

The Mint Hill Police Department informed federal investigators that from 2015 to 2019, Daniel had allegedly sexually assaulted a minor multiple times. He allegedly showered with a minor, took nude photos of her, and instructed her to take nude photos. Daniel denied any inappropriate behavior. He told detectives he doesn’t recall showering with her, according to a 2021 interview referenced in the application.

On November 30, 2023, FBI agents and Mint Hill police searched Daniel’s home. They seized devices that allegedly contained sexually explicit images of a minor.

He was indicted in October 2024 on federal charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty. In December 2024, he was moved to federal custody in Washington, D.C., for his Capitol riot case. After pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer at the Capitol on January 8, he was pardoned by Trump. He remains in custody as the child abuse case is pending.

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